The Contact (RP)

- Roald -

As you enter the clearing there is a distinctively different smell --and it is not just the mud you smeared on your face. The fresh, piney scent gives way to a more earthy aroma, and you have to step over a ring of mushrooms halfway to the oak tree.

At that exact moment a flash of lightning illuminates the mushroom ring stark white, and you could swear Olaf's contact was looking directly at you --the whites of his eyes and teeth showing in a huge grin is startling-- but their conversation continues without interruption (nor even any boom of thunder to accompany that lightning).

"The mayor's daughter went missing late last night." You hear Nixon saying. (Or, you assume this is 'Nixon'.)

"What? I know that." Olaf says impatiently.

But Nixon continues as though he did not hear: "They say Clodomere's second youngest son had his eye on her all year."

"Yes, yes. I get that. I thought you meant the other baron, don't rub it in." Olaf tries to steer the conversation. "I want to know about these phony heroes you told me about." He demands.

"Oh, they were there." Nixon continues calmly. "They where amongst the last people to see the girl. They dined with the mayor and his daughter just before she vanished."

"Wait! What? You did not tell me that!" Olaf exclaims angrily.

---

It is very convenient that all these details are being mentioned just as you get in position to overhear them.

How hidden are you? Olaf's lantern has probably spoiled his night vision, but a single beam from that, or another flash of lightning could easily give you away.

What do you do?

- Roald -

You find you had to get right up close to the tree before you could hear the spoke words over the wind and rain. But the two men don't seem to have noticed you. The further from the tree you are the less they need to move before parallax reveals you, but if they walk around the tree nothing will hide you in an open clearing anyway.

Watching the men you don't think they will pose much of danger in a fight, but Olaf's temper may get the better of him forcing you into one and maybe hurting him --which would disappoint Olga (do you want to risk that?:).

While you can't be completely sure, you were able to see Olaf quite well over the course of the trip here, he was in the middle of a pool of light from his lantern. He did carry that same woodsman's axe/hatchet at the baron assault, though you did not see him actually use it as a weapon, he relied mainly on bluster.

Nixon does not look at all formidable. 'Rotund' and 'jolly' would the words that come to mind if you were asked to describe him. Frankly you are surprised he would be out here at night, alone, with no obvious weapons.

"I only just found out." Nixon answers Olaf defensively, though how that timing makes sense you can't imagine.

Olaf looks unhappy, but before he can ask more questions there is a noise as though something large is charging through the underbrush over where Norbert sent the dog, and Olaf spins around in fright, takes a step back and trips. As he falls his hand holding the lantern goes through the glass and the lantern goes out, leaving the clearing in darkness.

You can hear Olaf scrabbling around on the ground, maybe trying to get the lantern relit, but, after a moment or two you hear muttered swearing.

"Nixon. Give me a hand." Olaf whispers, trying not to be heard by the 'beast' in the dark. "Nixon?" There is no reply.

---

Distracted as Olaf is, and blind after the lantern, it would be trivial for Roald to withdraw.

Do any of you think you know the way back? In the dark? Without Olaf and his lantern to guide you? The moon will set in less than half an hour, and it took longer than that to get here.

What do you do?

"Nixon?" Olaf says again. "Have you got a light? Bring that umbrella over here. I have cut my hand up nicely... Nixon?"

But there is no answer. After one more try Olaf gives up. "I hope you got eaten, you bastard." He calls before you hear him pushing his way out though the bushes... in your direction which you are pretty sure is not the way he came in.

What do you do?